ing on her bed (but not asleep), she felt a motion against the mattress. As she looked in the direction of the motion, she saw a small snake. It was moving its way toward the foot o f the bed. It then began to coil its body around her ankles, moving steadily upward toward her head. As it entwined her, it grew in size until the diameter of its body was equal that of a man’s arm. When the head o f the black and yellow snake reached the level o f her head, it turned to look to the east and then back again at Mrs. Dixon. She testified that she experi enced no fear, for she knew the Lord was protect ing her. She felt the eyes o f the snake spoke of love, goodness, strength, and wisdom. She inter preted this vision to mean that, “we must look to the east for growth and to the west for the end ing of things.” What is the Explanation? How are we to explain Jeane Dixon’s “ gift” and that of others who are involved in such psychic phenomena? What should the attitude of the child of God be toward this? The following suggestions should be helpful. First, it is well to remember that there is noth ing new about prophets, diviners, horoscope cast ers, magicians, crystal ball readers, necromancers, and soothsayers. The Bible gives us numerous illus trations and much teaching about this. It will be remembered that the magicians o f Moses’ day duplicated several of the miracles wrought by Moses in the name o f Jehovah. Obviously, Phar aoh’s magicians (Exodus 7, 8) did not receive their power from God. This is clearly seen in the fact that they could go only so far in the producing of miracles and then were stopped. The Pharaohs of Egypt and the rulers of Babylon all had their sor cerers, their soothsayers, and their magicians. They are also found in the Roman Empire o f New Testa ment days. Secondly, there is a multiplying number of people who are exercising psychic “ gifts.” As never before, men and women are turning to horoscope casters, palmists, and psychics for information con cerning their future. Nor is this trend limited to the United States. It is universal. “ Coveys of witches are meeting all over Britain. In France jaded lovers resort to love philtres. Peasants cast the evil eye in Italy. Politicians o f newly-emerging African nations consult their witch doctors before making decisions. Even on Wall Street there are speculators who won’t invest a penny before study ing their horoscopes” (Christian Life, March, 1968). Thirdly, we can be sure that these psychic phenomena in no way relate to the true prophetic picture of the Scriptures. Let me suggest the fol lowing reasons: A. Modem prophets depend on channels of information forbidden by the Old Testament. It
self a prophetess. In fact, Ruth Montgomery quotes her as saying, “Of course I am not !” Such a state ment appears paradoxical in the light of the title Miss Montgomery has given her book, “A GIFT OF PROPHECY.” Sources of Precognitions If Mrs. Dixon is not a prophetess, then what are the sources of her precognitions? There are apparently four: 1) She is often able to ascertain the future o f people by simply touching the tips of their fingers. 2) On some occasions, nothing more than a birth date will give her a clue to the prediction she makes. 3) Gazing into the crystal ball is a third and more basic source o f informa tion. 4) Special visions are the most significant to her. Mrs. Dixon has had numerous visions dating back to early childhood. As a child, she made “pro phetic” statements ranging all the way from one relating to the death of her grandfather in Ger many to that of receiving a black and white collie dog from her father. When Jeane Dixon was still a very small girl, she came in contact with a gypsy who left a lasting impression upon her life. The gypsy predicted Jeane would some day be able to see into the future, and she would be blessed with “ the gift of prophecy.” She gave to the little girl a deck of playing cards, which Mrs. Dixon still uses on occasion in making her predictions because the cards were blessed by the gypsy and, hence, carry “ good vibrations.” Mrs. Dixon believes her most significant revela tions come to her by way o f visions. She feels she can misinterpret the symbols which she may see in the crystal ball, but she cannot misinterpret a vision. She is convinced her visions come directly from God and that they involve her in a real act of worship. She looks upon her ability to predict the fu ture as a gift from God. If you were to ask her about this, she would probably reply, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administration, but the same Lord. And there are diversities o f operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in alL But the manifestation o f the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts o f heal ing by the same Spirit; to another the gift of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discern ing of Spirits; to another divers kinds o f tongues; to another the interpretation o f tongues; but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will (I Cor. 12:4-11). One of Jeane Dixon’s most significant visions took place “ after midnight on July 14,1952.” Read
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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